Totalitarianism Image
Title: Kim Il Sung
Source: 9/13/06. http://www.iisg.nl/~landsberger/images/fmax03.jpg
Propaganda Technique: Euphemism
Explanation:
This image depicts Kim Il Sung as a friendly leader of North Korea. He is shown smiling and hugging his citizens in an attempt to make the observer believe that he is concerned first and foremost about their best interests. In reality he is a brutal dictator that abuses his citizens. The attempt to pacify this awful situation with such a pleasant picture can be labeled as the propaganda technique of euphemism. The people surrounding Kim Il Sung seem to revere him and thank him for his leadership, thus creating a sense that he is the only man who North Koreans want to lead them.
Analysis:
The only positive I can glean from this piece of propaganda is that it may evoke a sense of pride in Korean heritage among the North Korean people. However, this source of national pride could also be considered a negative because it could stifle citizens from questioning authority in general. This picture may serve to pacify both North Koreans and others into complacency. Propaganda like this attempt to keep people from first seeing and then acting against the awful reality of deprivation and isolation. I interpret this message as being directed more toward the outside world as most North Koreans have experienced the brutality of the Kim Il Sung regime, mostly in the form of hunger. This particular piece of propaganda is most likely directed to foreigners in an attempt to make this government appear citizen friendly.